dawntrdr

@jollyjones, do remember to tell us about the Panorama on the Nova. Do they still positively cram it for trivia?

Welcome to the Silversea boards! Be sure to make your excursion reservations on MySilversea ASAP if you haven't already. Also, try to get a reservation in Silver Note, which has no extra fee but has a limited number of tables and is sometimes hard to book. If you haven't been successful so far, your butler can help you get a reservation. The two for-fee restaurants, La Dame and Kaiseki, have their fans and non-fans. My personal advice is to spend time exploring the full menu's at the other restaurants before spending the additional $$, especially if this is only a 7 day Alaska itinerary. When you get to your suite, your butler will introduce themselves, show you the TV and computer tablet controls (yes, there's a computer tablet where you can do everything that you can do on the interactive TV), and ask about what you want in the fridge. They will take away what you don't want and stock it with the beverages and food items you want (specific type of wine, champagne, gin and tonic and a bowl of fresh cut limes, fresh fruit, yogurt, etc.). You can also ask them for help with reservations. On the Nova, there are complimentary cooking classes and bartending classes. The cooking ones are sign-up at reception, and you should do that the first day. I'm not sure about the bar classes, but they are held at the Salt Bar on Deck 11. I'm sure you will have a wonderful time.

I hear you, Lois. We are booked to go on the Ray in October but it is a port-intensive voyage to Greek and Turkish ports that was the only one to fit our schedule. If I had a choice, I would go with Muse class too.

Rent a car (or get a local guide online) and drive up to Mount St. Helens. There are several museums and interpretive centers along the way that describe the 1980 eruption and its aftermath, and the scenery is stunning.

That is because they use London (Greenwich Mean Time) time to start counting the 120 days. 8pm EST is 1:00 am London time, or 1 hour after the 120 day period started!

Do be careful. It is inconceivable to me that a bankruptcy trustee would not have an open bank account.

Our condolences, Lois and to QSS. May you have many happy memories to cherish.

Welcome to Silversea! Evening shows are usually 9:30 or 10:00 pm., although there will probably be an early (6:30 pm) show a few times. The Captain's welcome and "taste of things to come" show will be pre-dinner. My DH and I enjoy the quiet luxury, attentive service, excellent cocktails (especially at the Salt Bar on Nova) and especially the other passengers. We've made some very good friends on board that we still travel with.

Is there going to be a third Nova class vessel?

The new code (and in fact the old code) does/did not apply to Wind, Cloud, Endeavor and Origin - those are the expedition ships. So, if you are on an expedition cruise (which is what I assumed you are referring to as "excursion cruise"), there should be no problem to wearing more casual clothes (although I note that men still may bring a jacket for the Venetian Society reception).

My Alaska booking has that code too.

Happy to learn that gratuities are still there in the fare and on-board benefit itemizations, though not specifically mentioned in the short fare descriptions.

It appears that the on-board experience will continue to be the same for all passengers, so count me as one vote in favor of the Essentials fare - other than the fact that pre-paid gratuities seem have been removed.

I've reviewed the three new fare categories published today on the website and none of them, not even D2D, state that they include gratuities. So maybe that letter on the Dawn was just a precursor to the removal of gratuities from "all inclusive"?

That is indeed the voyage and I have opened a roll call. Thanks!